Indenting tool



March 12, 1963 L. A. BUCHALTER INDENTING TOOL 2 Sheets-Sweet 1 Filed May2. 1961 INVENTOR.

LLOYD A. BUCHALTER BY M ATTO NEY FIG.2

FIG.|

March 12, 1963 A. BUCHALTER 3,030,779

INDENTING TOOL Filed May 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 4c. 33 FIG-3 f 3 i aM a PIC-3.6

INVENTOR.

LLOYD A. BUCHALT M ATTOR EY 3,080,779 Ice Patented Mar. 12, 19633,080,779 INDENTING TOOL Lloyd A. Buchalter, Ridgefield, Conan, assignorto Burndy Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed May 2, 1961, Ser.No. 107,231 8 Claims. (Cl. 81-15) This invention relates to a die settool, and more particularly to a multi-indent tool for electricalconnectors.

indenting tools for electrical connectors are well known. Various typesof indents have been utilized, e.g., a full circumferential indent, asingle indent, opposed indents, and multiple indents. A fullcircumferential indent is difficult to accomplish; generally the resultis an oval cross-section rather than a circle, and there is littlekeying of the connector to the conductor. A single indent requires avery deep indent to secure the connector to the conductor, and resultsin a gross distortion of the connector cross-section. Opposed indentspermit the use of a medium depth indent, but again distort theconnector. Multiple opposed indents produce the most desirable result ofpermitting indents of minimum depth and minimum distortion of theconnector.

To maximize the advantages of multiple opposed indents, it is necessarythat the connector at all times be centered between the indentors, andthat all indentors apply uniform motion to the connector, thus producinga symmetrical cross-section in the connector.

The prior multiple indent tools did not always accomplish this result.Corrosion or foreign particles in the tool would interfere with thesymmetry of the indenting process. Also, if the connector did not offeruniform resistance to indenting around its entire periphery, anonsymmetrical indent would result.

It has recently been proposed to provide an indenting tool wherein theconnector is at all times disposed equally between the upper and lowerdies; wherein the connector is at all times disposed equally between theindentors; and wherein the rate of indentation of the individualindentors may be positively controlled. This tool comprises a framehaving a first rack, a ram having a second rack, and a die holderassembly having a pinion which concurrently meshes with both racks.

This rack and pinion tool admirably serves the purposes for which it wasintended. However, the accurately correlated racks and pinions areexpensive to produce.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improvedtool of the type above described, but which is much more economical toproduce.

Another object of this invention is to provide an indenting tool whereinthe rate of travel of the indentors may be positively controlled by theframe, ram, die holder assembly, and a novel linkage therebetween.

A feature of this invention is an indenting tool comprising a frame, aram, a die holder assembly, and a link pivotally mounted to said dieholder assembly and movable therewith along a first axis and slidablymounted to said frame and ram and constrained against movement relativethereto along said first axis, but free for movement relative theretoalong a second axis.

These and other objects and features of this invention will become moreapparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying.

drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tool embodying this inven tion in the closedposition;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the tool of FIG. 1 in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an edge view partially in section taken along line 3-3, withthe indentor assembly omitted;

FIG. 4 is a detail of FIG. 2 showing the tool in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is a section through FIG. 55; and

FIG. 6 is a section of the indentor assembly alone, taken along line 66of FIG. 1.

Turning to the figures, it will be seen that the tool includes a frame 1and a pair of side plates 2, 3, bonded thereto and a sheet metal handle4 secured to said side plates by screws 5. Slidable in the frame 1 is aram 6. The ram and the frame provide a die assembly receiving recess 7therebetween. 'The ram has a slot 8 cut into its lower portion intowhich the upper end of a movable 2 taken along line handle 9 ispivotally mounted by means of a ram hole 10, handle hole 11 and pin 12.A parallel pair of toggle links 13, 14 are disposed within the sideplates 2, 3 and on each side of the movable handle 9. The links 13, 14are pivoted to the frame side plates by a pin 15 and to the movablehandle by a pin 16. The handle is biased into its open position by atension spring 17 pinned at 18 .to the side plates 2, 3 and at 19 to thetoggle links 13, 14.

The pin 15 has a slot 20 therein, in which is disposed a ratchet 21,which is pivotally mounted to pin 15 by a pin 22. The ratchet 21, whichis biased by a spring 23 pinned to the frame side plates at 24, and tothe ratchet at 25, cooperates with teeth 26 on the movable handle 9 in aknown manner to ensure the complete closure of the handle 9 before itmaybe reopened.

A die assembly carrier 27 is slidably disposed on the rear face of theram 6 and the frame 1. The carrier 27 comprises a plate 28, to which isbolted the indentor assembly 29, and a pair of legs 30, 31. An object ofthe hereinafter described structure is to maintain the carrier 27, andthereby its indentor assembly 29, centrally between the frame 1 and ram6 during their relative movement. Each carrier leg has a hole 32therein. A dumbbell shaped link 33, having a central stud 34 whichpivots in the hole 32, is mounted on each leg. The ends 35, 36 of eachdumbbell link are shaped to a circular profile. A pair of upstandingguides 37, 38 are formed integral with the frame 1 to provide a channelin which the circular end 35 of the dumbbell links 31 may horizontallyslide. An upstanding rectangular area is formed on the rack to provideguide surfaces 39, 40 for the carrier legs 30, 31. Upstanding from therectangular area are a pair of integral guides 41, 42. A pair ofU-shaped shims 43, 44 may be disposed within the guides 41, 42 toprovide a channel in which the circular ends 36 of the dumbbell links 33may horizontally slide.

Since the pivot stud 34 of the links is centrally located between thecenters of the circular ends of the links, it will be seen that thepivot stud, and thereby the die carrier, will positively undergoone-half of any relative movement between the frame 1 and the ram 6.

Should it be desired to have the die carrier positively undergo arelative movement of less than one half, it

-is merely necessary to use a link having a suitably noncentered'pivotstud.

A link cover plate 45 is secured to the upstanding guide 42 by a pin 46and a screw 47 to retain the dumbbell links and shims in place and toact as a rearward guide for the ram. A pair of plates 48, 49 areintegral with the front of the frame to overlap the ram and act as afrontward guide for the ram.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, the removable indentor assembly 29includes a die body 50 having a transverse bore 51 to accommodate aconnector (not shown), and a plurality of radial cutouts to accommodateindentors disposed therein. Each cut-out accommodates a wire indentor 53and a shroud indentor 54. The indentors may be of rectangularcross-section, and may, if desired, be integral with each other. A coilspring 55 is mounted adjacent each indentor and has an end 56 thereofengaged in a slot 57 in the indentor to bias the indentor away from theconnector bore 51 and its other end 58 abutting the die body 50. Arestraining pin 59 limits the outward movement of the spring end 56. Acover plate 60 is secured, as by screws 61, to the die body 50 andserves to cover the die assembly receiving recess 7 in the tool when thedie assembly is installed in the tool. The die assembly is secured tothe tool by the screws 62 fixing the die body 50 to the carrier plate28. The sets of indentors, each including an indentor 53 and 54, whichare biased outwardly by coil springs 55, abut symmetrically angled camsurfaces 63 and 64 formed on the ram 6 and frame 1 respectively. Whenthe ram is moved from the open position shown in FIG. 2 to the closedposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 the cam, surfaces 63 and 64 force theirassociated indentor sets, each including an indentor 53 and 54, throughthe die body 50. The indentors enter the connector receiving bore 51,and indent the connector (not shown).

In operation the operating cycle of the tool is initiated from its openposition as shown in FIG. 2 with the handles 4 and 9 spread apart andthe connector and wire to be crimped are inserted between the indenters.With the handles extended the ram 6 is in the down or lower position andthe bearing ends of the indenters extend into contact with the bearingsurfaces 63 and 64. Spring 17 is in a relaxed position and spring 23 isin a neutral position with the pawl 21 in a neutral position. End 36 ofthe dumbbell links are down. As handle 9 starts to close toward handle 4it loads spring 17 and the handle through a double toggle arrangementpivots about point 12 while simultaneously pivoting about point 16. Thusthe distance between points 15 and 12 increases causing the ram 6 toraise forcing the indenters inward as hearing surfaces 63 and 64approach the center.

Under normal circumstances, including the absence of foreign particlesin the die assembly and tool generally, the indentors should closesymmetrically, producing a symmetrical crimp. However, to ensure thatthe die body is at all times equally spaced between the frame and ram,the dumbbell link arrangement described above has been provided. Thedumbbell link pivot studs 34 always travel one-half the distanceundergone by the ram 6 with respect to the frame .4. The carrier 27 isdirectly coupled to the link studs 34 and the die body 50 is fixedlysecured to the carrier 27. When the tool is in the open position the diebody 50 is centered with respect to the ram and frame cam surface parts63 and 64. As the tool is closed, the ram approaching the head of theframe, the dumbbell links and slots will at all times maintain the diebody 50 in the desired centered relationship. Thus, a symmetricalindentation must uniformly result.

As mentioned previously, should it be desirable to change the rate oftravel of the individual indentors, for example, due to the necessity ofcrimping a connector which does not have polar symmetry, it is merelynecessary to move the dumbbell link pivot stud from its central locationon the link; and if desired, to change the shape of angles of theindividual cam surfaces.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that itis not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, thesame being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carriedout in other ways without departing from the spirit of my invention,and, therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalentinstrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claims, and bymeans of which, objects of my invention are attained and new resultsaccomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodiments hereinshown and described are only some of the many that can be employed toattain these objects and accomplish these results.

I claim:

1. A tool for compressing an article, comprising: a frame having a forceapplying surface; a ram having a force applying surface proximatelydisposed in opposition to said frame force applying surface; said rambeing disposed for movement towards said frame force applying surface; amovable article carrier disposed between said frame force applyingsurface and said ram force applying surface; and an interconnectingmeans interconnecting said frame, ram and article carrier to positivelymove said article carrier towards one of said force applying surfaces ata rate having a given relation to the rate at which said ram forceapplying surface moves towards said frame force applying surface;wherein said interconnecting means is a link which is pivoted betweenits ends to said article carrier, and which has one end secured to saidframe in a direction parallel to the relative movement of said carrierand said frame, and which has the other end secured to said ram againstmovement relative to said ram in a direction parallel to the relativemovement of said carrier and said ram.

2. A tool for compressing an article, comprising: a frame having a forceapplying surface; a ram having a force applying surface proximatelydisposed in opposition to said frame force applying surface; said rambeing disposed for movement along a first axis towards said frame forceapplying surface; a movable article carrier disposed for movement alongsaid first axis between said frame force applying surface and said ramforce applying surface; and an interconnecting means interconnectingsaid frame, ram and article carrier to positively move said articlecarrier towards one of said force applying surfaces at a rate having agiven relation to the rate at which said ram force applying surfacemoves towards said frame force applying surface; wherein saidinterconnecting means is a link which is pivoted between its ends tosaid article carrier, and which has one end secured to said frameagainst movement relative to said frame along said first axis, and whichhas the other end secured to said ram against movement relative to saidram along said first axis.

3. A tool according to claim 2 further including a plurality ofcompression members carried by said article carrier and disposed formovement through said carrier to compress an article carried therein;some of said plurality of compression members disposed to abut saidframe force applying surface and others of said plurality of compressionmembers disposed to abut said ram force applying surface, saidcompression members adapted to be moved by said force applying surfacesto compress the carried article.

4. A tool according to claim 3 wherein said link pivot is centrallylocated between said two link ends, whereby said carrier is positivelymaintained at equal distances between said frame force applying surfaceand said ram force applying surface.

5. A tool according to claim 3 wherein said article carrier comprises adie block having an article receiving cavity; a plurality of radiallyextending cavities in said block; an indentor disposed in each of saidradial cavities and movable relatively through said radial cavity andinto said article receiving cavity.

6. A tool according to claim 3 wherein said radial cavities are equallyangularly spaced about the periphery of said article receiving cavity.

7. A tool according to claim 3 wherein said article receiving cavity iscentered in said die block and said indentors are of equal lengths andhave ends normally projecting out of said radial cavities remote fromsaid article receiving cavity.

8. A tool according to claim 5 wherein when said ram force applyingsurface is moved towards said frame force References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Demler Dec. 1, 1959 Fuller Jan. 19,1960 Anderson et al Feb. 20, 1962

1. A TOOL FOR COMPRESSING AN ARTICLES, COMPRISING: A FRAME HAVING AFORCE APPLYING SURFACE; A RAM HAVING A FORCE APPLYING SURFACEPROXIMATELY DISPOSED IN OPPOSITION TO THE FRAME FORCE APPLYING SURFACE,SAID RAM BEING DISPOSED FOR MOVEMENT TOWARDS SAID FRAME FORCE APPLYINGSURFACE; A MOVABLE ARTICLE CARRIER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FRAME FORCEAPPLYING SURFACE AND SAID RAM FORCE APPLYING SURFACE; AND ANINTERCONNECTING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID FRAME, RAM AND ARTICLECARRIER TO POSITIVELY MOVE SAID ARTICLE CARRIER TOWARDS ONE OF SAIDFORCE APPLYING SURFACES AT A RATE HAVING A GIVEN RELATION TO THE RATE ATWHICH SAID RAM FORCE APPLYING SURFACE MOVES TOWARDS SAID FRAME FORCEAPPLYING SURFACE; WHEREIN SAID INTERCONNECTING MEANS IS A LINK WHICH ISPIVOTED BETWEEN ITS ENDS TO SAID ARTICLE CARRIER, AND WHICH HAS ONE ENDSE CURED TO SAID FRAME IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE RELATIVE MOVEMENTOF SAID CARRIER AND SAID FRAME, AND WHICH HAS THE OTHER END SECURED TOSAID RAM AGAINST MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID RAM IN A DIRECTION PARALLELTO THE RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIER AND SAID RAM.